Freeride's Alive - Riding the 2020 Yeti SB165

In 2018, Yeti rolled out three new bikes, the SB100, SB130, and SB150, a trio of 29ers that cover the bases from downcountry all the way to enduro. The SB6 was left to hold down the fort as the longest travel 27.5” bike in Yeti's lineup, a position it had maintained for the last four years. That is, until today, when the SB165 steps in to take its place.

As the name implies, the SB165 has 165mm of coil-sprung rear travel, with a 180mm fork up front. Yeti says it's for “hucking, sending, and enduro-ing,” which all seem like fitting uses for a bike with this much travel, and such long and slack geometry numbers.

There are three complete Turq series models, with prices ranging from $7,199 up to $8,799 USD for the T3 model. All of the Turq bikes come with the same suspension components – a Fox Factory Float 36 fork and a DHX2 coil shock – it's the drivetrain and brakes that change as the price goes up. There's also a SRAM AXS upgrade option for riders who want to go the wireless electronic route.

Yeti also offers two models in their C series, which use a 220 gram heavier frame, but are said to still deliver the same strength and stiffness. The C series bikes are both equipped with a Fox Performance 36 and a Vanilla coil shock; the difference between the two models, which are priced at $5,599 and $6,199, is in in the wheels and drivetrain.

Want to build up your dream bike from scratch? The SB165 frame and shock will set you back a whopping $3,999.

There are barely any logos on the frame other than this one on the top tube.

Plenty of clearance for up to a 2.6" tire.

Frame Details & Suspension Design

The SB165 strikes a similar silhouette to the SB150 and 130, but the frame as a whole has a beefier appearance, especially around the headtube. Want to run a 180mm dual crown fork? That's allowed. How about setting it up as a mullet bike, with a 29" front wheel? Sure, you can do that too, although the head angle will get even slacker and the bottom bracket will get higher depending on the fork length.

There's plenty of room for a water bottle, which is good news, since even freeriders get thirsty sometimes. The seat tube heights are low enough to accommodate longer travel dropper posts - the size L and XL frames come with a 175mm Fox Transfer post, the medium has a post with 150mm of drop, and 125mm for the smallest frame size.

Not surprisingly, the SB165 employs Yeti's Switch Infinity suspension design. If you're not familiar with the concept, it uses a translating pivot that moves upwards in the beginning of the travel, and then downwards deeper in the travel. That change in position is intended to give the bike enough anti-squat for supportive pedaling, while reducing the amount of feedback delivered by bigger hits.

The Switch Infinity translating pivot is located just above the PF92 bottom bracket.

The Kashima coated rails and the sliding mechanism that make up the heart of the Switch Infinity design are the same size on the SB130, 150, and 165 – it's the location in the frame and the amount that the carrier moves that's different. Yeti wanted the SB165 to work well with coil-sprung shocks, so they adjusted the kinematics to give it a 27.5% leverage ratio progression; compare that to the SB150, which sits at 15%. The higher number means that the bike ramps up more as it goes through its travel, which should help prevent it from bottoming out too often. Of course, that'll depend on how far you take your hucking and sending.

The SB165 has a more progressive suspension curve than the SB150, and all complete models come with a coil shock.

Geometry

The SB165's reach numbers are nearly identical to those of the SB130 and 150, ranging from 430mm on a size small all the way up to 505mm on an XL. To balance out those long reach numbers, the SB165 has a 77-degree seat tube angle, which helps keep the seated pedaling position from feeling too awkward and stretched out.

At 433mm the chainstays are on the shorter side, and the length remains the same for all sizes. I wouldn't mind seeing longer chainstays on the larger sizes, or at least the option to alter the length depending on personal preference. We're seeing more companies add in some level of chainstay adjustability, but it's still far from the norm. Maybe someday.

It's the headtube angle that really puts the SB165 into the seek and destroy category – at 63.5-degrees it's 1-degree slacker than the SB150. That's a number that would have seemed extreme just a few years ago, but an increasing number of bikes are inching into that sub-64 degree zone, a territory formerly only occupied by smaller European brands like Nicolai and Pole.

I thought for sure the word 'freeride' would appear somewhere in Yeti's description of the SB165, but no matter how hard I looked I couldn't find it. They refer to it as a 'rip' bike, as opposed to a 'race' bike, which sort of makes sense, but I'm going to stick with calling it a modern freeride bike. It's lighter and much more pedal friendly than anything we used to lug around during the height of the freeride era, but the intended use is still the same – seek out the gnarliest descents possible and figure out a way to get down them in one piece.

Climbing

The SB165's climbing manners aren't quite as refined as the SB150's, and there was a little more suspension movement when I stood up out of the saddle to pedal, likely due to the combination of the coil shock and the different leverage ratio. The compression lever is easy to reach, though, and I'd usually flip it into the firmer setting when faced with one of the extended logging road climbs that are common in my area.

The actual seated pedaling position was comfortable enough to maintain for hours at a time, and I ticked off some fairly substantial days of pedaling without any issues. Of course, the point of all that pedaling was almost always to reach a burly downhill – the SB165 feels out of place on mellower terrain, similar to the way that super-fat powder skis aren't the best on groomers. Yes, they work, but there are better tools for the job.

Descending

Once gravity takes over the SB165 wakes right up, and it'll make short work of pretty much any obstacle that gets in its way. I'll admit, I'm partial to 29ers these days, but there was something extra-satisfying about whipping the Yeti's 27.5” wheels into a tight turn. The combo of a long front center and a relatively short back end made it easy to break the rear wheel free whenever I wanted to get sideways, or to carve turns down a steep chute. A little extra attention is required on flatter corners, though; I had a few moments where it felt like the front end wanted to wash out because I'd let my weight get too far over the back of the bike.

There's a fine balance between creating a bike that progressive enough to avoid bottoming out too easily, and one that ramps up so much that it feels like you're hitting a wall part way through the travel. Thankfully, the SB165 falls into the former category - if felt like there was just enough ramp up to deal with bigger hits, and excellent traction on slippery, loose terrain. I did notice that the Fox DHX2 felt like it was topping out a bit on my last ride - I'll update this article or the longer term review if that turns out to be an issue.

Other than that, the component spec is exactly what you'd hope to see on a bike of this caliber. There's plenty of power from the Code RSC brakes and 200mm rotors front and rear, and the alloy DT Swiss EX1700 wheels are holding up well. I've also been having very good luck with Maxxis' EXO+ tires - that additional SilkShield layer seems to do the trick when it comes to warding off pinch flats and casing slices.

Up until this point I've been riding the SB165 on more secluded trails in an effort to keep it under wraps, but now that the cat's out of the bag it's time to see how it handles a steady diet of bike park laps and even bigger pedal-accessed descents. Look for a follow-up report later this year.

Wait...isn’t this essentially a DH bike? It’s slack as most, has a coil shock and it likely eats DH terrain for breakfast. They haven’t left any space for a DH bike with this monster.... With bikes like this and the SC Nomad and Megatower, are the only folks needing DH bikes those that racing at the highest levels?

After riding a 180/170mm Capra last year and going to a 203mm Tues this year, I’ll say the DH bikes definitely will always have their place. When the bike park gets rough and rowdy sometimes you need a machete instead of a scalpel. Sure you can ride a 170mm bike down anything but it’s definitely a lot less forgiving when things get rough, at least in my experience. I suck though and appreciate the bike making up for some of my lack of talent.

Might get some hate for this one, but Yeti's DH bikes were drool worthy, but really didn't ride that well, and required a fair bit more maintenance than most other bikes of the time. Frame was also like 4lbs heavier than a Devinci Wilson of the same era.
It'd be cool as fuck to get Yeti making a DH bike again, but careful on the rose tints there.
Also looking at you Ibis...

@bohns1: I don’t know what are the intake prices for Yetis but with SC, Spec, Treks, Konas, shop employees tend to sell their bling bikes after one year for no more than 500$ less than what they paid for them, if not losing a penny ... in a funny way it is worth for them to change bikes every single year. With everything being discounted everywhere at most times, if you buy a bike at 30-50% off, it will still lose half of it, or more within 2 years. I see some classifieds with folks believing they can get 70% of MSRP for a barely used, barely scratched bike, they are laughable and stay up for months. “Newly serviced, barely used, I had all the frame protectors glued on, have all the receits, upgraded this and that”. Show me 50% off buddy or good luck

@WAKIdesigns: Worked in Scott, everyones there get a new top or almost top spec on the start of a season, for wholesale price of course, not paying it just leave the invoice in system, then on the end of a season it goes to buy and sell for a price bit higher or the same they got it, usually same price as test bikes. Then pay it to the bike shop. So they don´t spend any money at all on it. Which is like the only benefit you have while slaving in a bike shop

@WAKIdesigns: @bok-CZ: Exactly this. @bohns1: and @sherbet: , please feel free to explain how much money you poor guys are losing in these situations, and even for the rare person who doesn't resell, how heavily discounted prices even compare with civilian/msrp.

@bohns1: I use your strategy quite often, but in most cases I just can’t stand being bothered talking to weirdos. I have limited time in the evenings, can’t deal with folks who will come to see the bike or even want to ride it. Tried multiple selling strategies apart from bullshtting people that they have to buy it because they won’t find better in better price, and I have multiple buyers waiting so it will be sold tomorrow. Perhaps you don’t have folks selling barely used bikes and for nothing. I have. I buy from them. I just need to wait 2-4weeks and check classifieds often. I barely missed some insane deals by folks who don’t give a tiniest damn they sell a barely used thing, or a thing where wear doesn’t matter, for 20-30% of MSRP. 1yr old Enduro29 can go for anything between 4k $ and 8k $. A missed a set of 240s hubs for 100$ on a few occasions, not to mention CKs Boost for 150$. Some dude was just selling a set of unused boost hopes 4 for 80$. Then you meet a bloke with 3yr old SB6C for 6,5k... he probably sold it. He just had to deal with 50 morons. I am unwilling to do this...

@pdxkid: I always find it funny when Americans say 35mpg is good. In Europe a civic type r putting out 315bhp will get 40mpg and your family hatch back over here will get 50/60mpg easily. Still your petrol is cheaper so I guess it’s kinda the same. But it does baffle me why your cars are so poor on fuel. Or more that you all tolerate it.

@mikekazimer: @TucsonDon: The amount of horse shit in that article is incredible, but it's fairly routine fodder journalists for looking to frighten/increase their readership. Unfortunately it worked on you.

@FionnS: they’re only 0.8 litre smaller. The OP was getting 35mpg in a car that would get late 40’s in Europe. I think Americans are fine with low mpg engines. It’s always been that way for them and their fuel is much cheaper. So it balances out a little I suppose.

@hellbelly: I looked up and down for horse shit but found only a couple mildly inflammatory images. Case is real and plausible, if small time as far as greed and corruption go, and article is a cut above comment section dentist bashing.

If you mean that medicine in general can also be unscientific, and that dentistry is being unfairly singled out, I'm all ears.

@ceecee: The claims made in the article about how procedures are performed, licensing, training and using a bad actor to paint the entire profession make it simply a half-assed smear piece in search of an ill-informed audience to frighten. Dr Lund without a doubt was a POS, but he is one out of hundreds of thousands and not the norm. However, stories about good dentists (or good acts in general) do not sell. PS: I have no desire to purchase a Yeti and never have.

@hellbelly: Completely this. There was blatant fear-mongering throughout that article, parts self-contradicted, and even if completely true, that is FAR from the norm... Lund was a criminal, not a dentist.

@mikelee: The UK gallon is a full 20% bigger, so the same car getting 35mpg in the US would achieve 42mpg in the UK.Add in more stringent emission controls, some added weight from extra safety mechanisms, heavier auxiliary loads plus higher average speeds in the US.It's easy to see where the small remaining difference goes.

@FionnS: 42mpg is still low though compared to the cars over here. My civic type r gets 40mpg and it’s putting out 315bhp! So him saying he drives a hyundai accent because it gets a whopping 35mpg,which would appear to classed as good mpg is strange to me. Even rounded up it’s pretty poor at 42mpg. Especially considering how huge America is and how far you need to drive to get to most places. It’s just an observation.

@mikelee: Flapping your gums in the wind mate. The trailheads, especially anywhere with terrain, are full of Jeeps, trucks and the like, example Blake Samson. The last thing on their mind is worry about fuel consumption. Whats strange to me is why anyone would buy a fwd 'sports car'

@motard5: haha never driven one have you! Won best hot 3 years running but what do the experts know. I know the trail heads are full of diesel trucks and that was my point. Happy to blow money on gas using a truck that gets 19mpg but moans about the price of bike parts. We all make choices. Happy with mine. Oh it’s not a sports car,it’s a five door family hatch.

That's an absolutely gorgeous bike. The pricing is obviously very Yeti and I don't live anywhere near stuff that would justify getting a freeride bike, but it's just so aesthetic that my day is now better having seen those pictures. Well done Yeti.

Freeride? Carbon Yeti? Are my sleepy blurry eyes reading this correctly? Yeti is one of the last companies I'd expect to tout a burly freeride bike. Ah, AXS upgrade, yep, there we go. And 6k for a Performance fork and Van shock. Never mind. Makes sense now.

Who is this bike for?It seems like a rather expensive machine given the shed load of abuse that comes with its intended use. I would shred harder on a cheaper Aluminium bike, knowing that I wouldn't be damaging a Carbon frame & switch infinity system.

@foggnm: Living in an alpine region does not mean it's inherently indestructible. I could say my company's based on Mt. Everest... Does that mean anything? You may be "at" several k feet elevation, but how much does that bike actually ride down, on what terrain, at what speed? Is it being hucked off those rocky cliffs? PS. My mountains are bigger than yours.

@mtbikeaddict: "Living in an alpine region doesn't mean it's inherently indestructible." Bikes don't live, they exist. But being developed in a very rocky place with everything from DH to epic continental divide riding gives the manufacturer some street cred. PS: I don't own any mountains.

@foggnm: Oooh, that's really solid. Resorting to pedantic nit-picking grammar police as a red herring really helps your argument. Living referred to the people, and then I transitioned to bikes. Mea culpa. And need I even mention the mountains? I don't own any either. Too bad. . You haven't really addressed any of my points.

@vid1998: The haterade consumption is intoxicating you... Lots of young dudes in my area on the 130/150s killing it.. Its about priorities.. Lots of 40 plusers on em as well showing up the youngins what time is in many cases... Don't put all the eggs in the same basket brah! It's clouding your judgment

@bohns1: Well, props to you for living in such a utopia that everyone is ridiculously skilled and wealthy, just "rollin with their Yetis", with age defying adults and little rippers who can afford anything, but also all obviously with low-paying blue-collar jobs scrimping saving and sacrificing to barely get their dream bike. Life isn't one of your Tribe meetings. We may be on haterade, but you're drunk on koolaid.

I don't understand the price premium on Yeti. Nice bikes, sure, but I can get a complete carbon long-travel from Guerilla Gravity for the price Yeti is asking just for a frame kit. That seems ridiculous.

I agree 100%. Complete Ripmo is on my radar. I loved my old 575 and would love to buy another Yeti. Even w/ 2 good jobs in my family I can’t justify it compared to other brands. I also like to get a new bike every 3 or 4 years so the value wouldn’t be there. The only way you’d find me able to ride a Yeti at this point is via Craigslist.

@BenPea: depends on ur needs in regards to being objectively better.. I know for a fact my 130 climbs better than my last three bikes hands down.. Those weren't cheap bikes either.. One was a trek fuel ex 9.9. Which was no slouch.. Another, a Hightower..

U can make ur money last by making sound investment choices that has your money growing in the 6-11% range and still enjoy the finer things in life.. Also cutting back in other areas helps.. Its not that difficult.

Can we all please stop complaining about expensive bikes?! Back in the day when no one complained about anything life was good and bikes were cheap. Then some wanker started complaining about high bike prices and...prices started RISING! Then more people complained and prices went up even more! Don't you see??? The reason prices are so high is due to all the bellyaching in the PB comments. If we'd all just calm down about prices of bikes we weren't even planning to buy then obviously they'd get cheaper.

@Sardine: interesting theory, by which I mean a bit of a stretch. I'd like to see bike inflation figures and compare them to the base rate. Could be normal. Some bikes have always been crazy pricey. It's not so much a complaint as an observation on comparative value and what the reasons might be to go with a much costlier but no more effective option.

@bohns1: maybe I'm overestimating how much needs to be buried in a box in the garden before I can rest easy as a self-employed slacker. What kind of investment would you recommend?

It’s all about what people are willing to pay for something. Why do people buy 100k cars when the speed limit is 65mph. Honestly because they can... If I were a boutique smaller company I would rather make and sell less bikes at a higher margin than have to try and play the volume game and compete with the big competitors.And people like me keep buying them because we can... sorry to drive the price up bro!

@bohns1: good long lasting parts are a good investment and the frame only thing also goodm I got a 2018 tracer for 1900 usd.. With an X2 shock, its a bargain. Rides sweet and I can get a very decent build for 2k less than these Yetis

@Lagr1980: Hey whatever works bro.. I had all the parts I needed from past builds other than a new dropper so scored that one up and bought the yeti frame.. Ive always loved the way switch rides and I'm not getting any younger so I said screw it and got what I want..

Their frames aren't that much more than any other boutique branded bike.. Ie Santa cruz Ibis.

It's not like they're alone here. I looked @ a $7,500 pivot yesterday that came with SLX brakes. You can only charge the brand-premium for so long though until it comes back to bite you. Look @ Rocky Mountain for a cautionary tale

@bohns1: even if you could buy 5 Guerilla Gravity in the price of one Yeti frameset, it wouldn’t matter - yeti owner wpuld be a Yeti owner and you’d still be a peasant not worthy of owning Yeti spare hanger.

@truehipster: I don’t own a Santa Cruz but read Pikebike reviews. They gush on PB but go to mtbr and vent in the forums about all of Yeti’s short comings. And your analogy makes no sense.......keep gushing you hipster you

@lognar: Likely requires a brand-new platform that they don't want to chase. Modernizing the platform won't happen until the ROI is good for the current infinity link tooling....I bet they are looking at something for MY21.

"I'll admit, I'm partial to 29ers these days, but there was something extra-satisfying about whipping the Yeti's 27.5” wheels into a tight turn." - no shit! This is not news. This is why and how people have been arguing against all you journalists trying to tell us that 29ers are the answer for everyone and everything.

@mikekazimer: I have to agree with @just6979, 29ers by comparison can be a bit dull, and after riding numerous bikes of each wheel size over the last few years I still don't understand the sudden push for everything to be 29. Yes, they're 'fine' in corners and bike parks, but why would I accept fine when I could have great? If I had the money I'd definitely consider this...

@mikekazimer: define "monster"... Goes over anything in a straight line at race pace, which it has to because it takes a World's Strongest Man to make it turn? Not everyone (probably most don't) wants a straight-line max-speed can't-turn-don't-have-to-turn race bike.

This seems like a _fun_ bike. It goes up well enough you don't want to shoot yourself halfway up the climb, and on the way down you get to actually interact with the trail, picking lines, popping off jibs, tossing the back-end around, generally having fun, and all at normal person speeds. Put big wheels on it, and sure it might go marginally faster (which, yes is _huge_ for pro racers), but it's also a shit-ton more work for the average rider to actually enjoy without risking full race-pace commitment on every run.

So, yes, big wheels on this kind of geometry and suspension would plow over and through almost everything, and do it at Mach Stupid, but at that point your either a pro, or you should just get a f*cking e-bike and turn your brain off completely.

@mikekazimer: I didn't say they weren't fun, but you and everyone else doing a first look at this bike made a big deal about the 27er wheels being unexpectedly fun. Like that was news, that we didn't know that.

Arguably, a brand new rider might not know that, but that's because you've all been telling us how 29ers are the best choice for everything because they are monster trucks and make things so easy, even if they aren't as "playful" (to use an "industry term"). And now all of a sudden we're told this 27er is better because it's not as much of a monster truck, it's "playful", you get to actually think and pick lines and jib and drift and have fun.

From the outside, it looks like everything new is the best, and the past is too quickly forgotten, or even ignored. Is the next LT 29er review going to whine that it's not as "playful" as a bike like this? Gonna put that in the Cons column even though it didn't seem to matter enough to tip the scales before?

@just6979. I don't think this bike is better because it has 27.5 wheels. In fact, I wish it had 29" wheels, but I also recognize that lots of people will be happy that it doesn't. The wheel size debate is a silly one - it's best to demo a few bikes and pick the one that makes you the happiest, no matter what size tire it takes.

@just6979: "fun factor" is subjective... I love barreling down at mach chicken while hitting kickers and side hits along the way... I'll take that over having a more agile rig.. As I find these new crop of 29ers can still be tossed around easily.. The longer you've been on one the more normal they become.

@mikekazimer: so let’s look at facts, BME arguably the best enduro racers on the continent and with 550 entry’s this bike get a third! So is it a freeride or enduro bike? Are 27.5 wheels a determinant? Oh and it had a coil too? Explain those results?

@mikekazimer: The wheel size debate is silly as I don't give a damn what others ride, but it's no longer about which is better but rather a fight to remain relevant as the industry seems keen to push 27.5 out of the picture.

Don't mistake, I've really enjoy riding a bunch of solid 29's, but the 27.5 equivalent has always been better for me and I'd like the option to keep it around. When every review of new bikes only pushes 29ers, and you list traits of 27.5 bikes as being a negative for simply not being a 29er of course the uninformed public are going to steer in the that direction, and just based on the above comments there's no denying the bias recently. Do you know the amount of customers I've spoken to recently who thought they should buy a 29er but had no idea why, in many cases being the complete opposite of how they actually liked to ride?

But here's the main point: you can't say 'pick the bike that makes you happiest' when you don't have that option anymore.

@mikekazimer: If the wheel size debate is silly, then why did you even mention that you "have been preferring 29ers lately"? If the wheel size didn't matter, you would have said "I prefer maximum 'monster trucking' but this bike reminds me of why 'playfulness' is nice." Any bike can, to degrees, be made more monster-ish or more playful though suspension changes: tweak spring rates and damping and a monster can be made a bit more poppy; or a poppy jibber can be tuned towards max-traction and bottomless-ness.

Wheel size does still matter because of plain old physics and the human form. Given same/similar tires and bike designs, bigger wheels _will_ roll-over easier and carry momentum, which is good because they will also take more input to change direction. Smaller wheels will fall into holes a bit easier, but _are_ easier to change direction to avoid said holes. Those are facts about the differences.

And can't forget that big wheels also just won't fit for some shorter people. It seems that pro racers are willing to make the sacrifice of maybe buzzing their ass on a big back wheel , but most regular riders would probably rather not risk that for a marginal increase in speed (although the incoming flood of mullet bikes shows that a decent number of pros are NOT willing to risk it).

Also, sometimes getting the bar height down far enough with a 29er fork up front just can't be done on smaller size bikes. At least without extreme stem and bar bullshit, but you guys would tear-apart any trail bike with an inverted stem or bar on looks alone, even if it's the proper fit for a size small or XS 29er. Of course, that brings up the fact that bar height is a mostly-ignored geometry stat yet is pretty damn important for both comfort and performance, but that's another story there...

If the wheel size debate is silly, stop mentioning which size you like or don't in reviews, _especially_ in a review of a bike with the opposite of your preference. Don't mention "the 29 inch wheels make it a monster truck", just say "this bike plows!" Don't suggest a certain bike might be a better fit for _your_ preference if it had a different wheel size. Every time a reviewer does this things, it proves that wheel size debate/choice is still a thing. If it wasn't a big deal, you wouldn't "prefer 29ers", you'd just "prefer bikes with maximum monster-truck-ability", which just happens to be 29ers right now.

@bohns1: Just because it eventually feels normal doesn't change the fact that they're not as easy to toss around a smaller wheeled bike of a same/similar design.

Yes, of course fun is subjective, but the author literally said this bike was "extra-satisfying" to toss into corners, immediately after mentions he prefers 29ers. That implies it's more fun than a 29er at that kind of riding. Instead of basing that comparison around the wheel size, why can't it just stand on its own?

"This bike is more fun to toss into corners than some recent awesome race oriented bike that is probably a 29er but doesn't have to be>". Instead of "i like 29ers (for unlisted reasons) but this bike is 27er and is more fun (reasons coming up!) in some situations because it's easier to toss around"

@NickB01: Well said. I hope everyone is still able to ride what they like. The push for 29 is so strong right now in the media it is concerning for the future of 27.5. Lots of bikes are switching to 29 only and for those of us that don't appreciate the traits of a 29er, or don't benefit from them, I hope there will still be something to ride...

'a bike with this much travel, and such long and slack geometry numbers'

Really?? well i guess it's more progressive that a Nomad LOL. Surely it's a big lads enduro bike....know your market Yeti, you sell to rich boys who want to stand out from their SC buddies outside the cake shop in Surrey on a Sunday morning.

Find it an amazing looking like, but would think that indeed the majority of Yeti clientele that wants a long travel bike would probably go for the SB150, due to it having a slightly greater versatility. Anywho, a nice bold statement by Yeti to come out with a trail monster like this!

They have managed to occupy the irrationally high priced tier, with little resistance...4k + tax for a frame and shock....I guess it is a good place if you can get there.....before I purchased the frame, I would put a Guerilla Gravity or Knolly or whatever on my living room floor, and then spread out 100 $20 bills next to it and only then make my decision...

Or "carbon" for that matter. And turns out, you don't! As the article says, the word "freeride" is never uttered in their literature. Will be tough to argue that huge huck is covered under warrant I imagine.

The great thing about the SB6 was the longer than average chain stays which made it super stable and corner like a housefly as your weight was central in the bike. Urgh. Close but not quite. I'll keep my 6. It does look bloody lovely though, better than the SB150 for sure!

this thing feels like the big money version of the 26 Kona “freeride” that came out just after 27.5 took over. Everyone said it was great Kona was making a 26 and nobody bought it.

The triangle(s?) have to be common with their other bikes. Seems like a ton of money in molds for something that is not going to sell in any kind of numbers. I can’t see many shops taking the risk on having this thing gather dust while 130’s and 150’s still turn quickly.

Plus the biggest huck most of these will ever do is the “huge drop” at the local skills park.

Good on Yeti for making this. Surprised a small company took a risk on this. I’m more surprised about this than the Ibis ebike that they are playing around with. Maybe they know something.

I don´t understand the mindset of so many people thinking Yeti buyers are having the bikes only for show. Most of them I know are beating them badly, as the bikes deserves. On the other hand actual fashion in EU looks like Santa is the goal for posers.

Honestly I see it way more interesting than SB130 or 150 as I am more happy on 27,5". Another point to sell this easier is that you don´t have feel bad to take it to bikepark every weekend. So for me this wins easily in the choice for one bike for everything and I am sure I am not alone. Many of riders don´t race, so they don´t need enduro race rig on 29. But they want bike they can ride on the trails around in week and to shred the gnar on in a bikepark on weekends without smashing the wheels or crack it in half

@mtbikeaddict: I guess some of those bikes do cost as much or have even higher end builds than the SB 165. It was the frame cost that I was thinking of. The idea that you can get whole bikes, yes lower end, but GOOD solid performing bikes, even carbon framed made in Colorado bikes for less than the cost of the Yeti's frame alone just blows my mind...

Now I'm not saying the GG and the Yeti frames are 100% apples to apples here. The Yeti is full carbon and I would believe without firsthand knowledge that the Switch Infinity is "better" to some degree than the Horst link GG. (though based on this review for intended use, "freeride" they are probably just about apples to apples? He flipped the swtich on the shock to climb just like you'd do to any HL bike? ) It's just really hard to believe the Yeti frame is really ~1800.00 dollars "better" than the GG frame?

On a side note, I went to the Yeti website to look at their other build costs and the Black frame with the Orange coil = SWEET looking ride... It's a subtle difference, but the 165 has more organic curves VS the straight and angular lines of the 130/150 frames. Cause ya know, Aesthetics

@stiingya: Ah shoot! I forgot to get back and post a clarification, I could've saved you a lengthy post. For the record, I agree with you, we're on the same side here, I'm no Yeti fan either, just a mind-boggled peasant.

@stiingya: My intended meaning was to make a hyperbolic/tongue-in-cheek joke along the lines of "ALL those bikes *together* would cost a much as this Yeti". I was debating between a few phrasings, unfortunately I chose the ambiguous one and it backfired. I need a signature like a road work sign... Caution: Idiocy in progress.Never mind me.

@stiingya: @stiingya: Comparing GG to yeti is definitely not apples to apples. It is much more than suspension design...Especially when it comes to frame materials. GG is using a brand new manufacturing process/resins that are significantly more impact resistant than traditional layup methods, which Yeti still uses. I can assure you it's not just "marketing hype". You are absolutely right in that a Yeti frame is not worth $1800 more, because.. it simply isn't. Your paying for the name, the brand and the tribe. GG on the other hand brings true value to the market with manufacturing methods that are proven to be superior in strength and durability. Plus, who else let's you customize your bike like GG does for that price point. All because - 'Merica.

@rbb23: Hmmm, I don't know if I'd go that far? Manufacturing process and value, YES! Huge leap to be able to sell US made/sourced carbon frames WAY less than other Asian made/sourced from where? carbon frames. But superior strength and durability I don't know of any way that is currently demonstrable? It does "seem" like GG have said their carbon is stronger and a little heavier than competitors? (from memory?) BUT to my knowledge there isn't one of those weight racks slamming into frames with more weight than a competitor kind of thing, etc. Maybe when they get their patent they will be able to show/provide more info??

For sure "FlexGate" on the SB130/150 rear end and the tire clearance made for a few angry Yeti customers. But there's more than a few people with broken GG stays. (that were then gladly replaced/upgraded by GG) So that's kind of a wash... so I don't know that we can really say one frame is stronger/better made than the other??

We agree that Yeti's frame prices seem too expensive! BUT they seem to be selling bikes... It's disappointing to me that their new frame is even more expensive than the last two. I'd hope they would have done a "Trust" thing and said now that they've been making this new style frame for awhile they'd figured out how to make them easier/cheaper and lowered "all" their frame prices a few hundred bucks, (which by the way Trust we all know is BS and they just weren't selling enough so you cut your margin), to bring their prices more in line. BUT they seem to be selling bikes...

The Apples to Apples thing from my perspective; the Yeti is full carbon and that costs more, and you can't discount the engineering that goes into the Switch Infinity. (whether it's actually better or not I don't know) There has been a lot of R&D into that over the years and that's a much more involved process than starting with a working Horst Link that most people are fine with and then tuning.

AND ALSO... I didn't realize the frame only GG prices are WITHOUT a SHOCK... Ya kind of need one of those...? I assumed they were still coming with the base RT air shock for 2200.00. STILL a good deal adding in the shock price and you can't beat the shock selection/choice, but that's a bit of corporate used car salesman bait and switch marketing bullshit that I hate to see from a company that seems so cool. I'd much rather see an HONEST base frame price at 2450.00. (2900.00 with a DHX2) And that wouldn't stop them from still letting you click "no shock" and buying it for 2200.

However, it still doesn't seem like an SB 165 frame is 1100.00 better than a GG Smash frame...

@stiingya: in short - I used to work for GG and can confidently re-iterate everything from my first post. and while I don't know when, more information to further educate the public (maybe some videos) could be coming which I think you and many others will be pleasantly surprised by. It goes much further than just US Made and I suggest you read up on some of the other articles that elaborate on the GG processes. the MTBR and Bicycling Magazne articles are both great write ups and have some good insight (without shedding their proprietary processes)

As you said, Yeti sells bikes. Just like Yeti sells coolers. Is it really that much better? That is to each individuals interpretation and how you want to spend your money. But, in my opinion, your also buying into the brand, marketing, customer service and so much more.

I personally feel the SB165 is a boutique bike and don't think Yeti will sell as many as a SB 150, 130 or 100. Just like the Kona Process 165. (a big reason why you still may see brand new KP 165 for sale that are a few years old and brand new) It's a great bike but a small niche of riders who want a single crown park bike or do a ton of shuttling. Again - this is my own speculation because mid travel bikes have become so capable these days (take the SB130 or Trail Pistol for example) and punch above their weight class.

I hear you when you say frame prices are without a shock. This is a bit loaded but it all comes down to the choice of the rider. Buyers may feel like it is switch in bait because we have been normalized to think you have to buy a bike with a shock. Why should i spend 3 or 4 grand on a bike to get a freaking Deluxe RT?A lot of riders will settle for what the frame comes with but will likely replace or upgrade to something down the road.

it's all about the Freedom of choice to get exactly what you want from the very beginning which is going to be a lot cheaper than settling for a shit shock that you will end up replacing and trying to sell in a saturated used bike part market. Regardless - if you don't want a shock, you're getting a carbon frame, made in Denver CO by a bunch of rad dudes for a price that can't be touched by something being shipped over in a shipping container from Taiwan.

Sounds like we are on the same page. At the end of the day, everyone is different. Some want value and some want the name...

@rbb23: I see how it is. you just HAD to "out" lengthy post all of us...

Definitely agree that I don't think there is a broad market for this "specific" bike due to niche, high cost, and current market trend. Post directly below "at the moment" points out how this kind of bike, FR/Park but not DH is usually a 3rd, maybe a 2nd bike, and the overwhelming majority of people buying a 3rd bike to go hit big jumps on don't put 6-7 grand into it? (you would have thought Yeti would have put their R&D into an actual DH bike before this? MUCH larger market chomping at the bit for one... ON the flip side I guess they are ready "if" the market shifts back to long and 27.5?

I haven't had the time, (due to all my lenghty posting here). But I would be interested to see what other test experiences there are. I wonder if the general consensus is that it's most suited as a FR bike. OR if there are others who think Super Enduro 27.5 will get a new influx and there will be a lot of these showing up at the EWS over the SB150??

Also, totally on the same page with the brand name zombies and ridiculous priced coolers!

@rbb23: Were they listening? (are GG spies among us even now...? ) Not sure the acoustic guitar shows much, but the guitar AMP being slammed against the frame seems like a significant impact!!

But other than the fun stuff, I wish they would have spent more time on the original sledge hammer, added weight to it like SC did. (and in the end if it's REALLY 300% stronger than it would be way cool to see them add enough weight on the sledge to break an unmarked competitors frame while showing a REVED frame survive!)

I don't care for the lines of the bike. Yeti rightly got flack for the squared off down tube at the bottom of 150...waiting to bang 4k$ into gnarly terrain. This new bike has the same thing yet EVERY pic here covers it up with the crank to make it not as unsightly. It's odd because the looks and design on Sb5.5 and sb6 were a thing of beauty (I've never owned one as they were too short). Wish they'd improved on that instead. Its like a Ferrari with no sexy curves. Odd...but the plenty of tire clearance is nice this time and the bike rips I'm sure.

really curious about whether this bike will sell. only thought is "who is this bike for?". a 165 FR bike is someone's 2nd or 3rd bike. Usually a cheaper bike meant to be thrashed. Who is buying a $7k bike to dig out of the bushes?

Dt swiss M1700 wheels, really? Is that a mistake in the article?The M-series are light trailbike wheels which have no business being on a bike like this.The mid range M1700 would also be a disgrace on any bike in this price range. I would expect EX 1501 at least.

Maybe if they had a Freeride "Armor Upgrade Package"? Just cover the whole frame with down tube guards so we'd have more confidence for going BIG! For those times you have to push the bike "AWAY", mid air, to hit the ground on it's own so you keep from dying... (cause ya know the frame is pretty reasonably priced; so I'm sure people would be fine with adding the cost of the "AUP")

Not that I'd know anything about freeride... me=scared of heights! Just talking shit...

Agreed! Im running a 180mm fork on my '18 slayer and the geo numbers are pretty close to this. Would be interested to see how they compare considering my c50 owes me about 4.5k converted to USD with DHX2 coil

No comparisson. The slayer is a slug on climbs and sprints. Great park bike though! What sets Yeti apart is the incredible pedalling efficiency. If you known, you know, if you don't, keep on complaining.

@Golden-G: Strange, that's the first time I hear such a statement. Pretty much all the reviews and personal accounts on the current Slayer agree that it pedals very well for a bike of its category. What you are describing sounds rather like what some people say about the Nomad.

@Golden-G: Slayer is fine at climbing for what it is. Have a hard time believing a 32lbs 63.5 HTA bike with a 180mm GRIP2 36 and DHX2 is going to be more enjoyable on the ups than a Slayer. I think the Yeti would be amazing descending though and outclass the slayer for sure, again with the geo/reduced offset fork, more travel, coil shock etc.

@Golden-G: If that's true, even ignoring the Slayer, why would they pick a shorter traveled trail oriented 27.5 Instinct over not only the Slayer but also the Altitude? If the wheelsize is a non-issue jumping down two models from super-enduro to all mountain to trail makes almost no sense.

@Golden-G: I hear you.. I'm on the 130 and it out classes my 2016 fuel ex 9.9 on the climbs as well.. And that bike was light, and was also more on the xc/light trail side of things.. Don't think anything short of a hard tail bests switch when it comes to the climbing game.

Nice bike. Nothing wrong with people who can afford these $7-8k bikes. Everyone bought puts food on the table for employees all the way down and up the chain. I would take the Capra Al Comp any and all day over the Yeti if I wanted a 170mm+ bike.

hmm, I personally like my SB6c aesthetics better. I'm not a fan of the square geo triangles on these... the previous versions had some sweet curved lines... not to mention I grabbed a 30 year paint job one at half price

I do like the fact that you can fit a 2.6 though... previous generation only fit 2.3. I know some fit a 2.5, but they must not be cornering right, I still rub with a 2.3, so good job there yeti!

Bike makers should put adjustable stays on bike like they used to. and some manufactures are doing specific chain stay length to size, which I dont get. Just make adjustable stays and let the rider decide, easy.

As a xl rider I've always hoped for proportional sizing. I feel like there is an optimal geometry for each bike they design, a standard. Which means that only 1/3 or 1/4 sizes are riding or feeling as the engineers intended while the others are just close.

Maybe the standard sizing is a large or medium I'd expect?

I don't understand why it's so hard for them to upsize or downsize a certain percentage for each frame size that varies from the standard? Maybe I'm missing something but it's seems pretty simple.

@zyoungson: Norco is able to make size proportional chain stays, so choose a Range. Santa Cruz made flip chips on Megatower to change CS length. Both are much cheaper frames than the outrageous 4k Yeti wants.

That aside, yes I'd actually pay a bit more for a bike with a proportional rear centre.

Modern big-negative-spring air shocks are pretty awesome (absolutely love the off-the-top suppleness and traction I get from my DPX2 on a progressive frame), but nothing (yet) beats the sensitivity and consistency of a coil!

Nice review, BUT did they give it decent tire clearance this time AND how's the flex in the rear....
And then bla bla too expensive, trail parts spec on a freeride bike, why carbon for FR anyway...
Looks like a cool park bike for the Aspen crowd.

@ace9: I know right, what a bunch of idiots. The rest of us are totally cool with going down, buying a new tire, coming home, mounting and airing it up, letting it sit overnight to stretch, then the next day letting the air out, adding sealant and airing it back up to riding pressure AND THEN riding it around aggressively enough to see if the tire fits without rubbing the chainstays. I mean come on, I do that 2-3 times EVERYTIME I want to try a new rear tire. It only wastes a couple hundred bucks and takes a few days of my time to get it right. No biggie... only idiots would want to know if the tire fit BEFORE they bought it...

I was "mostly" joking around; everyone makes mistakes, etc. BUT, I think whoever the person(s) responsible for releasing a bike saying it would fit a certain size tire and then due to customer complaints had to add a disclaimer might have the word idiot used in reference...?

On a serious note, there were a number of serious riders who found the issue and Yeti's response to the issue less than stellar. (granted, lots of others with no issues!!) So I am genuinely curious if this new bike has lateral FLEX ''tuned in" on purpose again. AND I don't think there's anything wrong with customers wanting an accurate max tire size?

It is an amazing looking bike IMO, (well if the frame was black!). But admittedly, this isn't really a bike I'm in the market for due to cost and intended use so I'll get back to it...

the sb150 cant keep pivot bolt tight after 2 rides so theres no way id throw down major cash on an even longer travel yeti... stick to short travel bikes. this is a brand for rich people that want a fancy bike to toy around on...ooooohhhh i have a yeti. oh yeah where is it? oh, its in the shop bc the seat tube snapped after a hit a 3 ft drop

"I did notice that the Fox DHX2 felt like it was topping out a bit on my last ride" You've either got too stiff a spring on there, too much preload clamped down on the spring, or you simply need to add some rebound damping.None of this would be an 'issue' with the shock, linkage, and/or bikeWhat am I missing here?

"Of course, the point of all that pedaling was almost always to reach a burly downhill – the SB165 feels out of place on mellower terrain, similar to the way that super-fat powder skis aren't the best on groomers. Yes, they work, but there are better tools for the job. "

The writer of this article should get a raise for putting this 8n the article instead of claiming the bike climbs lime an XC bike

@pperini: Neg propping is a national sport here, as the average IQ flies under the official weight of that bike.And actually yeah: 14,5kg for such a beast is kind of weird, unless they added helium in the tyres and in that plastic frame.

@bitterrooter: I meant that that is not why the bike doesn’t pedal as well. They most likely lowered the antisquat to reduce pedal kick/chain tension because this bike is much more biased toward descending. I think the platform is awesome ands it’s great to see yeti finally use a good leverage curve for a coil

@kleinblake: i think you are right the pivotlocation looks low and obviously priorities low kickback over antisquat. the coilshock is more sensitive and could bob a bit more but the progressive leverage rate (or ratio) has very little to do with the bob. especially as it is progessive and because of this should not dive much under pedaling.

@jzPV: the pivot bikes usually have antisquatnumbers above 100% (and it does not drop that much later in the travel) should pedal better but kicks more too. hmmm, maybe i judged the virtual pivot wrong, not that easy with the lower link beeing to tubes

@jzPV: it’s hard to know exactly what the antisquat since it’s dependent on chainring, rear cog, and your bike/rider center of gravity. Maybe it’s above 100% when sitting but more like 95% when you stand so you don’t get that same positive acceleration sensation. Mountain bike leverage rates aren’t that extreme so I doubt it has very little to do with a bikes perceived pedaling efficiency

@kleinblake: You're right, but exact numbers are irrelevant as long as the numbers are comparable. The progression was responsible that the bike was very eager to get into its travel, and if you stand up (probably outside the center of gravity from antisquat calculations) that's the first thing you notice while pedaling. That's why I think it felt slower than a more linear bike with a stiffer beginning stroke.

@optimumnotmaximum: The virtual pivot is effectively infinitely far in front of the bike, hence the name "Switch Infinity": the sliders act as an infinitely long lower link, so what would be the arc of that lower and rear (on normal dual-link) pivot becomes a straight line, or an arc with infinite radius.

If it didn't move at all, traction would be lost. Sure it "feels" slower when sprinting on smooth ground, but get into real situations of pounding up a loose, tech, and fast climb, and what is "perfect" anti-squat on the smooth & flat becomes a rear wheel that can't hold traction unless your pedaling perfectly matches the suspension inputs.

@jzPV: but on a linear bike you are likely to run a progressive air shock, which will be softest around sag (just due to the nature of air springs) so that’s why I don’t think leverage rate matters for pedaling efficiency. The effect will be the same, lower force/higher displacement at the start of the travel, higher force/lower displacement at the end

@kleinblake: But you will also need to run more compression which again aides a sporty feel... but whatever, we could argue all night... it would simply be the best to test all those interesting bikes on familiar terrain but that's wishful thinking, especially with exotic bikes in Europe.

Price increase due to coil vs x2 which is about right, and I believe Yeti moved frames to Taiwan I heard to avoid China tariff, so I heard. Trek increased $500.00 across the board due to China tariffs..

@dutflip: Taiwan is not included in the tariffs. There were several recent articles about how Giant has production facilities in both countries and shifted production of bikes destined for the USA to Taiwan to avoid the tariffs, which gives them an advantage over companies who fully committed to only a Chinese factory and can't switch without a big lag time and huge cost.

f*ck no, I'm full retard on a SB150. You don't need to be Vettel to drive a Ferrari, if you can afford it and you like it, why not? You only live once, it's only money, its only a bike, your girlfriends hot sister is just another girl, a banana is just a dildo you can eat after etc. Go for it.

Of course! What are you thinking?! Buy a sensible bike! Give me money to get my first! Donate to the needy! Heck, buy two bikes! Think of the... Wait a second... "Should I feel guilty" for 'berating' someone like this? Sure. I wouldn't ever buy this bike, but it's not my choice... it's yours.

As the bike park jumps get bigger - More case friendly bikes for the peeps that really shouldn't be trying to ride on those trails. Fingers cross some dentists broken (bones) hopes and dreams Yeti 160 will pop up used and cheap....Then I'll buy one.

@pcledrew: tougher to do with those enormous reach numbers. 430 on a small? Combined with the head angle, that's a _huge_ front center. Don't see a Beti version anytime soon, because the average size woman would have an impossible time trying to weight the front on a frame that size on anything not ridiculously steep, unless they do an XXS.

One of the great things about longer reaches is that most riders on most terrain could now go downhill in a mostly neutral position, instead of hanging off the back. This bike, Instead of wearing out your quads and lower back riding the backseat, it's going to toast your arms and shoulders and chest trying to lean forward and ride the fork like a motocross bike. Aaron Gwin or Eliot Jackson would probably get along great with this bike, but a lot of riders are going to find themselves sore in quite different places than usual after riding this bike for a while.

I actually just upgraded my reach with a new frame and have smashed my abdomen on the stem a couple times when really pushing it, because my arms aren't quite used to taking that much of the load quite yet. On the plus side I could instantly go faster uphill because my legs aren't completely worn out from holding way-off-the-back positioning when descending. It's just about perfect geo for me and my trails. I might want a little more reach if there were more super-steep descents to save the legs even more, but the few chutes that do make this reach feel a tad small aren't enough to force the trade-off between that and having to work to load the front on the awesome flat turns we also have around here.

@justwan-naride: i think you mean "it encourage thinking about putting more weight on the front", because a longer reach literally moves the CG away from the front axle, which means it actually takes work to weight the front.

It does bring up the "how long is too long?" question. The guys from The Path Podcast touched on it a bit in episode 100, could be worth a listen.

@just6979: It really feels like there's more of my weight on the bars. I might not have the full grasp of how it works, but it certainly feels more balanced and gives better traction than my older, traditional geo ht. No lifting of front wheel on steep uphills, no loss of the front on loose turns.

f*ck no ! Imagine now if he wins on a "Freeride 27.5" bike how will they manage to shove 29er down our throats ? You need to keep the 29er god happy mate, only 29ers can win and are worthy to be riden ! Hail 29er !

@boozed: The industrie down every user that want to renew his bike. I will replace my bikes end of season but finding a 27.5 DH bike is becoming harder and second hand value of 27.5 is dropping super fast due to the brainless people saying yes to whatever the industrie says is better for them. So despite having no interest for 29er and actually not liking the way it rides, chances are my next Enduro and DH bikes will be 29ers which sucks. Most of the recent EN bikes released are 29ers same as DH bikes, I was actually very surprised when I saw that Yeti released a 27.5, hopefully it is a sign that people are getting their minds back but I doubt it.

@Balgaroth: why are you buying a Bike that rides shit for your liking? I wouldnt give a damn- every new bike depreciates like a rock falling off a cliff....buy what makes you happy and enjoy riding- thats what counts

Interesting that a 29" wheel with a 160mm fork would leave the geometry unchanged... It would also be a better match for the rear travel, and with that and an air shock this bike would perhaps be at its best. Not that it's not nice as it is, but 165mm might a bit short for major hucking, and it's not a steel spring that makes a "freeride" bike.

Yeah, that is the setup that I'd be tempted to try. The 29" front wheel would help smooth things out up front to compensate for the reduced travel, and you wouldn't get as much steepening of the head tube angle on big compressions. The only disadvantage would be a big more of a sting to the hands on big hucks to flat, but to your point, this probably isn't the bike for that anyway.

No, the geo would still be changed with a 160mm 29 front. Yes, the axle tocrown length of the 29x160 is the same as the 27.5x180, but you also need to account for 18mm difference in wheel radius. Factoring in differences in sag, a 29x150mm front would probably get your very close, and a 29x160mm would put the head angle below 63°.

the mismatched travel is because it matches the vertical travel of both wheels and therefore it does not change the suspension much on full compressions. A 160 mm 29er fork changes that. Also their travel numbers seem deceptive based on feel compared to some other brands.

@skylerd: Yes, you're right. Actually, I only thought of the extra 19mm from the wheel radius, and forgot that there must be extra space at the top too. So it's 38mm in total of extra height. The lessened sag even increases the difference more. I think it would take a fork around 130mm to match it.

@DavidGuerra: yeah, indeed. Point is, I'm really looking forward to ground-up designs mixed wheel size bikes, because the benefits of 29 front, 27.5 rear are legit, and all the current mullet bikes are making big compromises.

Yeti missed the mark with this bike and yall just drool over it because it's a yeti. Press fit bottom brackets and 12x148 rear spacing is aged and inneficient at this point. Get with the times yeti, put 12x157 in the rear and a serviceable bottom bracket on your bikes that get thrashed!

Ah, but you missed the point, it makes perfect sense... "on your bikes that get thrashed"... Afaik, the only (modern) Yeti that gets thrashed is the one Richie Rude rides... So your statement still holds.